Traveling case of monocoque structure



June 18, 1968 w. D. NOLAN 3,388,777

TRAVELING CASE OF MONOCOQUE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM D. NOLAN 3/ 3/ ms AGENT June 18, 1968 w. D. NOLAN 3,388,777

TRAVELING CASE OF MONOCOQUE STRUCTURE Filed Feb, 28. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet WILLIAM D. NOLAN IN VEN TOR.

HIS AGENT BEST AV United States Patent, 0

3,388,777 TRAVELING CASE OF MONOCOQUE STRUCTURE Wiliiam I). Nolan, 3102 Grant St, Wiciiita Falls, Tex. 76308 Filed Feb. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 530,519 12 Claims. (Cl. 190-51) ABSTRACT ()F THE DISCLOSURE A traveling case of monocoque construction, which is durable rigid, light in weight, and which is made of metal or plastic. The case is closed by a sliding lid which has opposed, inturned lips on three sides to interengage outturned flanges on two traveling case compartments to hold these in fixed relation, whereby the divider strip or liquid may be removed to enable each component of the case to be handled separately. Provision is made for shelves and compartments within each unit of the traveling case, which shelves and compartments are closed by the sliding lid. A movable handle is fitted on an upstanding handle bracket member in position to receive the horizontal portion of a garment hanger to enable the traveling case to be supported by a garment hanger. A fastener is provided to selectively maintain the sliding lid in fixed relation to the compartments.

The present invention relates to luggage goods, and

more particularly to personal luggage goods, such as characterized by a suitcase, attache case, Gladstone, cosmetic case, and the like. A more specific aspect of this invention relates to the fabrication of novel personal luggage from synthetic organic products including the thermoplastic resins, wherein a variety of sizes, colors, and a variety of grains, including stitching and the like, may be simulated in the exterior thereof.

The presently available leather luggage goods are both expensive and require a lot of care if good service over a long period of time is to be expected of it. Dirt, grease, excessive moisture, or humidity are great enemies of leather, as is smoke, soot, acid fumes, and the like. Furthermore, these articles, if improperly stored, may deteriorate on the shelf, and also may become contaminated with mold and mildew. In addition to these drawbacks, the fabrication of leather luggage, rawhide luggage, and the like requires a multitude of expert operations during its fabrication, thereby leading to prices that are prohibitive to many people.

Hereinafter, such terms as suitcase, attach case, Gladstone, cosmetic case, and the like will be referred to as case or traveling case with the understanding that such term is sufliciently comprehensive to include any form of object with which the invention may be associated.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a traveling case wherein the main body is fabricated from metal or a unitized molded synthetic organic material in such a manner so as to resist deformation, and will retain its dimensional stability over a long period of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a traveling case wherein the shelves in the case have a flange to hold articles therein and to give support to the case, and wherein there is provided a row of cleats through the compartment that form supports by which small articles may be secured in place.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a traveling case of any material including steel that has attached thereon by suitable means, a small compartment on the outside thereof that provides a receptacle for small articles and the like.

Patented June 18, 1968 A still further object of this invention is to provide atraveling case wherein the handle bracket can be made to disappear in the handle.

An additional important object of this invention is to provide a traveling case that has therein a handle that cooperates with a coat hanger so as to enable the traveling case to be placed on the coat hanger with a coat or the like optionally placed thereabout.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a carrying case having a slidable flange cover thereon that provides a suitable work surface when the case is held in ones lap.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon further reading of the specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the following illustrations, of which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the particular type of traveling case and shows the lid detached therefrom.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, with some additional parts shown for clarity.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view showing the novel traveling case operatively mounted on a conventional coat hanger with wearing apparel illustrated as being placed thereabout, in dashed outline.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of a modification of the case seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 with some parts broken away to show the details therein in section.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the traveling case seen in FIGURE 4 with some parts broken away to show the details therein.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of still another modification of the traveling case, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, which view is taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the traveling case, with parts broken away and with parts shortened, and showing a locking means therefor.

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view of a still further modified form of the invention, showing dissimilar compartments connected together by a complementary interfitting divider.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated more particularly in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, the

traveling case is shown therein as having a main unitized body portion 22 with a flange 24 integrally fabricated about the outer periphery thereof and sleeves 26, 2'6 removably placed therein. A handle 14 comprised of a U-shaped channel and having in-turned edges thereon is suitably slotted, as at 19, so as to receive a handle bracket member 16 therein. The handle bracket member 16 is suitably welded or otherwise secured to the top of main body portion 22 by horizontally bent members 17 so as to permit the handle 14 to fit adjacent the case when the case is not in use. The handle 14, furthermore, is adapted to receive a coat hanger 12 within the space formed by the U-shaped channel member as amply illustrated in FIGURE 3. The lid 8 is provided with a flange member 9 adapted to cooperate with the flange member 24 of the main case 22 so as to permit the lid 8 to be slid downwardly over the flange member 24 until the upper portion of the flange member 9 abuts the upper portion of the flange member 24 at the top of the case near the handle 14. Located at the upper extremity of the cover 8 and adjacent to the upper portion of the flange member 9 is a depending member 7 that provides a tab so as to enable one to readily remove the cover 8 from the traveling case with the fingers when it is desired to have access to the case.

Located within the traveling case are a multiplicity of cleats 32 and 34 which provide a retainer means for small articles. The small articles are preferably secured by the retainer means 32 and 34 by securing rubber bands therefrom to thereby maintain such articles resiliently secured within the traveling case. Shelves 26 and 26 are suitably received within the traveling case by the retaining and guide means 28, 29. The shelf members are up-turned at their outer edge, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, so as to add additional rigidity to the traveling case. Located below the shelf member 26 and forming a support means therefor is a compartment 36 which provides a storage area for small articles therein.

With the lid 8 operatively assembled to the traveling case, the flange 24 in cooperation with flange 9 forms a depending portion about the outer periphery of the case, the lower edge of which accordingly provides one leg upon which the suitcase may rest. At the opposite edge and spaced apart from the lower portion of flange 24 are located legs 31 that complete the ground contacting portion of the traveling case.

Located along the slope back portion of the traveling case there is provided a U-shaped flange member 18 adapted to receive an extra compartment 20. The extra compartment 20 is provided with a flange 21 about the outer periphery thereof to form a monocoque structure that resists deformation. The extra compartment 20' may furthermore be provided with various smaller compartments therein so as to hold various small items in a convenient and accessible manner.

Looking now to FIGURES 4 and wherein there is seen a traveling case of the Gladstone type having two main compartments 122, 138 rigidly held together by a flanged divider 140 that includes a flange 113 integrally placed about the outer periphery thereof except for the bottom-most edge thereof. The flange 113 is an integral part of the divider 140 and is formed with two depending members 170, 172 that are adapted to engage the flange member 124, 124' located about the outer periphery of the main compartments 122, 138 in a manner amply illustrated in FIGURES 4, and 5. Each of the main compartments 122 and 138 has a groove formed immediately adjacent flange members 124 and 124 to receive the respective flange members 170 and 172 to form a seal, and to further increase the rigidity of the case, when the divider 140 is fitted in place, as is best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The flanged divider 140 provides a means by which each main compartment 122, 138 may be conveniently held together in a manner that increases the ability of the structure to withstand deformation, while at the same time adding to the external aesthetic appearance of the case by hiding the flange 124, 124 of the main compartment from view. Suitably arranged at the top and'side portions of the divider is a member 173 that has an extended tab portion 171 thereon to provide a lifting means by which the divider may be removed from the case by lifting upwards thereby detaching each main compartment 122, 138 from each other as well as from the divider 140. Depending perpendicularly from the flange 173 are flange members 170 and 172 located coextensively with the flange 173 and about the outer periphery of the divider. The lowermost edge of the divider 140 is not provided with such a flange since this edge must pass freely upwardly through the main compartments when the device is to be dissembled. The flange members 170, 172, form a channel within which are received the flange members 124, 124 as illustrated, to thereby maintain the case rigidly assembled as a unitary device.

The flange members 170, 172 of the divider and the flange member 124, 124' of the main compartments may be suitably apertured so as to receive a locking clip means 142 to thereby rigidly maintain the various compartments of the case in assembled relationship. Alternatively, members 140, 124, 124, 17%, and 172 may be suitably apertured by drilling a single hole diametrically therethrough so as to receive a removable locking pin therein (not shown) that will accordingly maintain the case rigidly assembled.

A handle 114 attached to handle bracket member 116 is provided on the upper surface of main compartment 138 and is similar in construction to the before described handle seen in FIGURES l, 2, and 3. As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, the handle 114 is slotted so as to receive the handle bracket member 116 therethrough. The handle suspension means is in turn received by the main compartment 138 in a manner previously described in conjunction with the handle suspension members 16 and 17 of FIGURE 2.

The bottom extremity of flanged member 124, 124' is generally indicated by numeral 164 in FIGURE 4, and provides a means by which the traveling case may be centrally supported when set upon a flat surface. The lower outside portions of the bottom 160, 160' of the traveling case are provided with a pair of legs located on either side indicated generally by the numerals 162, 162.

Located within each main component of the traveling case is small compartment 136 that provides a storage area for small articles and also adds to the structural integrity of the case. Shelf members 126, 126 sub-divide the main compartment into smaller compartments to conveniently receive various articles of clothing and personal effects. A multiplicity of cleats 132 are arranged within the smaller compartments to provide a retainer means by which small personal articles may be secured therein.

Looking now to the details of FIGURE 6, wherein there is illustrated a modification of the handles previously described in conjunction with the foregoing figures, there is seen therein a U-shaped flange member 114 having in-turned edge portions which are adapted to receive a coat hanger therein. The handle is apertured so as to receive handle bracket member 116 therein. The handle 114 and handle bracket member 116 are substantially identical as previously described in conjunction with FIG- URE 5. The handle bracket member 116 is rigidly aflixerl to the horizontal web portion of the divider 140. The clip means 142 is located within the spaced apart depending legs of handle bracket member 116 and received in apertures at 144 formed in the perpendicularly depending members of the flange of divider The flange oi the main compartment is provided with apertures that receive a pair of horizontal locking members of the clip 142 that accordingly latch the flange member of the divider and the flange member 150 of the main compartments together to thereby prevent the component parts from sliding apart. The latching member 142 is disengaged from the remaining structure by clasping the upper ex tremity of the two upstanding. members, one of which is seen to bear the numeral 142, FIG. 7 between the thumb and forefinger and exerting suflicient pressure to withdraw the two horizontal members, one of which is seer in the aperture indicated by numeral 144, from the apertures within the several flange members. The divider 140 can then be removed from the traveling case, and the case laid open to thereby afford ready access thereto.

It should be noted that after the divider has been removed, thereby releasing the main compartments of the traveling case, each main compartment component wil' still have the capability to remain in standing position or the support means thereof, if desired. As shown in FIGS 4 and 5, the respective main compartments 122 and 13! have in-turned flanges 118' and 118 respectively, on the outer flat surfaces, which flanges form U-shaped receptacles to receive the out-turned flange 21 on each of 11hr main compartments 120, which compartments 120 are smaller than the respective main compartments 122 an: 138. Small compartments 120 may then be removed fron the side of each main compartment, after which the mair compartments may be laid upon a flat surface, whereb the contents thereof will be readily available.

The present novel traveling case may be made of eithei plastic or metal. Where metal is the material of construction, a finish should be used which has superior wearing characteristics. Where plastic is used, the exterior of the traveling case has suflicient abrasive resistance to withstand the abuse to which luggage is generally subjected. The hard luggage style construction of the novel travel case provides a generally rigid and inflexible form product of a monocoque structure that is attractive in appearance and low in cost. The exterior of the case may be made to simulate various hides, as well as being produced in varying colors. Where it is desired, the Gladstone type as illustrated in FIGURE 4, 5, and 6 may be provided with stay hinges, that is, a hinge that maintains the suitcase lids perpendicular with respect to each other at the bottom extremity thereof. However, in Gladstones, the two lids usually open 180 with respect to each other. A hasp and lock plate may be provided at the upper extremity if a locking means is desired.

The removable shelves may be formed integrally with the main body of the case, if desired, where the constructional configuration of the case demands additional rigidity so as to provide an inflexible monocoque body.

In the instant novel traveling case, the main case flange and the flange of the divider cooperate to provide a novel container that is nondeformable, impervious to the deleterious effects of the atmosphere that normally contribute to the aging of a leather suitcase, and provides a case having a long shelf life.

A further modified form of invention A further modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 8', whereby two monocoque compartments, which are dissimilar in shape and size, such as compartment 22 and compartment 139, which compartments are joined together by a slidable, flanged divider 140*, which divider has flange 113 on three sides thereof with reentrant or dependent members 176 and 172 to engage the respective free edges of at least three of the four walls, so as to form a closure for the compartments 22 and 139, as shown in FIGURE 8. The flange 113 has an outwardly extending portion 171 which provides a lifting means, which enables the flanged divider 140' to be removed from between compartments 22 and 139.

Legs 31 are provided on the outer portion of the bottom of compartment 22 to stabilize the case, and a leg 31' is provided on the bottom of compartment 139 to serve the same purpose.

A form of lock or latch is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, which is representative of a means of holding the flanged divider in fixed relation with the compartments 22 and 138, which latch may be readily adapted to the present form of the traveling case, or other conventional latches may be used.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the novel inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Having thus fully shown and described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A traveling case for luggage and the like comprising:

a main compartment defined by a back portion and four enclosing walls, the outer periphery of the back portion of said main compartment integrally connected to an edge portion of said four walls;

said four walls being edge connected leaving a free end thereof which describes a continuous edge portion lying in a common plane;

said free end of said walls being turned out to form a flange on at least three sides and lying perpendicular thereto and in said common plane;

a removable lid comprised of a flat surface and having inturned edges about three sides thereof to thereby describe an inverted U-shaped flange member that slidingly and sealingly cooperates with said wall flange to thereby provide a removable closure lid for said traveling case;

whereby, said flanged closure member and said wall flange of said main compartment are adapted to slidingly mate with one another to thereby permit the closure member to slide into sealing mutual engagement with each other;

said case having four walls including an upper wall, a

lower wall, and side walls;

a handle bracket on said upper wall having a handle attached thereto;

said handle comprising an elongated U-shaped channel having inturned edge portions longitudinally thereof to thereby form a longitudinally arranged slot therein;

spaced apart apertures in one side of said U-shaped handle;

a handle bracket including legs forming an inverted U-shaped member, the end portions of said U-shaped member being rigidly attached to said upper wall; and said handle bracket retracts into said handle when the case is resting on said lower wall.

2. The traveling case of claim 1 wherein said main compartment is provided with spaced apart shelves;

each shelf being provided with an upturned edge portion that adds rigidity to the case and to the shelf which upturned edge retains the contents of said case therein;

a small compartment aflixed to the interior of one side of said case and forming a support for a shelf;

cleats spaced apart on said side walls and said sloped back portion by which small articles may be secured within the ease; and,

an outwardly extending tab located on the upper portion of said lid to provide a means by which said lid may be readily removed from said main com partment.

3. The traveling case of claim 1 wherein said lid is provided with a second inverted U-shaped flange arranged coextensively with the first recited lid flange and spaced apart therefrom;

a second main compartment having an outwardly directed flange adapted to mate with said second flange of said lid to thereby form a divider and provide a traveling case having two main compartments divided by and fastened together by said divider;

and means removably fastening said two main compartments and said divider together into a unitary traveling case.

4. The traveling case of claim 3 wherein the outside of the sloped wall is provided with a U-shaped flange member integrally aflixed thereto;

a small compartment having an outwardly directed flange about the outer periphery thereof;

said outwardly directed flange adapted to cooperate with the last said U-shaped flange member to thereby maintain said small compartment removably attached to said main compartment.

5. The traveling case of claim 3 wherein the bottom extremity of each said rnain case flange cooperates with said divider flange to thereby provide a centrally located bottom support member for said case; and,

legs provided on said bottom Wall spaced apart from said centrally located support member; whereby,

said case may be placed vertically upright to rest on said support member and said legs.

6. A traveling case as defined in claim 1 in combination wherein a garment hanger has a transverse portion thereacrross,

said U-shaped channel forming said handle adapted to receive said transverse portion of said garment hanger to support said traveling case thereon, when in one position, and

said transverse portion of said garment hanger adapted to pass out through said U-shaped channel on said handle to remove said traveling case from said garment hanger, when moved to another position.

7. A traveling case and the like, which case comprises;

a main compartment defined by aback portion and four enclosing walls;

the outer periphery of the back portion of said main compartment being integrally connected to an edge portion of said four walls;

said four walls being edge connected, leaving a free end thereof which describes a continuous edge portion lying in a common plane;

the free edges of at least three of said four walls having a first flange which is perpendicular thereto and being in said common plane;

a removable lid comprising a flat surface on which a second flange is formed around at least three edges thereof so as to be in complementary, sliding relation with said first flange to thereby provide a closure member for said first compartment of said traveling case;

a second compartment defined by a back portion and four enclosing walls;

the outer periphery of said back portion being integrally connected to an edge portion of said four enclosing walls;

said four walls of said second compartment being edge connected, leaving a free end thereof which describes a continuous edge portion lying in a common plane;

the free edges of at least three of said four walls of said second compartment having a first flange formed thereon which is perpendicular thereto and being in said common plane; and

said removable lid having a third flanged edge formed thereon on the flat side thereof opposite said second flange about at least three sides thereof to slidably engage said first flange on said second compartment in complementary, sliding relation therewith to also provide a closure member for said second compartment of said traveling case.

8. A traveling case as defined in claim 7; wherein at least one of said main compartments has inturned flanges on an outer plane face thereof to form a U- shaped receptacle, and

a further compartment, of smaller size, having an outturned flange on at least three sides thereto to be complementally received into said in-turned flanges.

9. A case for receiving articles and the like, which case comprises;

a first compartment defined by a back portion and four enclosing walls;

the outer periphery of the back portion of said first compartment being integrally connected to the edge portion of said four walls;

said four walls of said first compartment being edge connected, leaving a free end thereof which describes a continuous edge portion lying in a common'plane;

the free edges of at least two opposing walls of said four walls of said first compartment having first flanges formed thereon which are outstanding at an angle with respect thereto and extend approximately in opposed directions;

a second compartment defined by a back portion and four enclosing walls;

the outer periphery of said back portion of said sec ond compartment being integrally connected to at edge portion of said four enclosing walls;

said four walls of said second compartment being edgr connected, leaving a free end thereof which describe: a continuous edge portion lying in a common plane the free edges of at least two opposing Walls of sait four walls of said second compartment having firs flanges formed thereon, which flanges are outstand ing at an angle with respect thereto and extend ap proximately in opposed directions;

a removable lid comprising a flat surface on whicl first in-turned flanges are formed on at least two op posed edges thereof, so as to be in complementary sliding relation with said first flanges on said firs compartment to provide a closure member therefor said removable lid having second in-turned flange: formed thereon on the flat surface thereof on the op posite side from said first inturned flange on at leas two opposed sides thereof to slidably engage said firs flanges on said second compartment in complemen tary sliding relation, so as to provide a closure mem bar for said second compartment of said case; 311( a handle member associated with said removable lid.

10. A case for receiving articles and the like, as de fined in claim 9; wherein a fastening member is associated with said removabl lid and with said out-turned flanges on said com partments to selectively maintain said lid in fixed re lation with respect to said compartments.

11. The case of claim 7 wherein locking means art provided to maintain said main compartment, said sec ond compartment and said divider rigidly attached to gether.

12. The case of claim 11 wherein said locking mean: comprises a clip including a pair of vertical legs spacer apart by a horizontal web portion leaving a free end 0 each said leg upstanding above said web portion an: a major leg portion downwardly extending from said wel portion, the lower extremity of said legs having an in turned portion;

said divider flanges and said main compartment flange: having means forming an aperture diametrically therethrough and at a location centrally disposed ad jacent to and with respect to said handle bracket whereby,

said clip locks the divider and main compartments to gether when said inturned portion of said legs of saic clip is removably received in said apertures.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gilbert -35 F JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

